1
a
: needless bustle or excitement
They got down to business without any fuss.
b
: a show of flattering attention
made a big fuss over his favorite niece
2
fussed; fussing; fusses
1
a
: to create or be in a state of restless activity
especially
: to shower flattering attentions
fussing over the grandchildren
b
: to pay close or undue attention to small details
fussed with her hair
fusser
noun
Examples of fuss in a Sentence
Noun
They got down to business without any fuss.
What is all the fuss about?
Her new novel has caused quite a fuss.
I don't want to make a fuss, but this soup is cold.
Verb
She'll fuss the whole time we're gone.
I told him not to fuss.
The baby fussed all day.
Stop fussing and get to work!
He's fussing about his new assignment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 16 June 2025
Through all that high entertainment, Spaun went out in the morning with hardly a fuss and nary a bogey.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
Throughout the footage, Leah, from Fort Worth, Texas, can be seen fussing Lunch Box and fawning over her sweet foster pup.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fuss
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The deep pockets add both style and practicality—great for a mom to put her card and keys in without the fuss of a purse.
—Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 16 June 2025
Through all that high entertainment, Spaun went out in the morning with hardly a fuss and nary a bogey.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Verb
As a storyteller, Tyagi isn’t too fussed about making his plot persuasive — the ease with which Nair and his co-counsel Dilreet Gill, played by Ananya Panday, manage to uncover evidence defies logic.
—Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
Throughout the footage, Leah, from Fort Worth, Texas, can be seen fussing Lunch Box and fawning over her sweet foster pup.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fuss
Cite this Entry
“Fuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuss. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fuss
1 of 2 noun1
: unnecessary activity or excitement often over something unimportant
2
3
: a great show of interest
made a fuss over the baby
fuss
2 of 2 verb
: to make a fuss
fusser
noun
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